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Freelance Digital Matte Painter Jobs (NOW HIRING)

AI Artist

Los Angeles, CA

$100K - $160K/yr

A background in compositing, digital matte painting, LookDev, animation or another relevant production art discipline. * Experience delivering visual assets within feature film, VFX, AAA game, or ...

AI Artist

Los Angeles, CA ยท On-site

$100K - $160K/yr

A background in compositing, digital matte painting, LookDev, animation or another relevant production art discipline. * Experience delivering visual assets within feature film, VFX, AAA game, or ...

Compositing Artist

Manhattan, NY ยท On-site

$150K/yr

Paint & cleanup * Matte extraction * Color grading * Digital photography principles * Render pass integration Color Management * ACES * OCIO * Linear workflow * HDR imaging Emerging Technologies * AI ...

Paint & cleanup * Matte extraction * Color grading * Digital photography principles * Render pass integration Color Management * ACES * OCIO * Linear workflow * HDR imaging Emerging Technologies * AI ...

Paint & cleanup * Matte extraction * Color grading * Digital photography principles * Render pass integration Color Management * ACES * OCIO * Linear workflow * HDR imaging Emerging Technologies * AI ...

Restoration Technician

Santa Monica, CA ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The Restoration Technician will perform digital image restoration on scanned film and digital ... matte painting, compositing, dailies and production services, color grading, post-production ...

New

Vault Technician

Santa Monica, CA ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... and digital media assets (ie. Invoice, order, equipment specs). They will be calm and personable ... matte painting, compositing, dailies and production services, color grading, post-production ...

Production Operator - Batcher

San Leandro, CA ยท On-site

$19.50 - $24.75/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

Blend custom paint orders and make blends of paint as directed * Match colors within facility color ... 2 - Digital Interview Upon review of your application, qualified candidates will be invited to ...

Overhire Stage Hand

Boston, MA ยท On-site

$27/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

Wardrobe artisans * Scenic painters * Props carpenters and artisans * Video technicians and ... The Office of the Arts maintains an overhire list of experienced freelance theater/events ...

Overhire Stage Hand

Boston, MA

$27/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

Wardrobe artisans * Scenic painters * Props carpenters and artisans * Video technicians and ... The Office of the Arts maintains an overhire list of experienced freelance theater/events ...

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Freelance Digital Matte Painter information

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How much do freelance digital matte painter jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance digital matte painter in the United States is $20.60, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.59 and $23.32 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a freelance digital matte painter?

A Freelance Digital Matte Painter is a visual effects artist who creates realistic background environments and landscapes for films, TV shows, video games, and commercials. They use digital painting techniques and software such as Adobe Photoshop, Nuke, and Maya to seamlessly integrate these backgrounds with live-action footage or CGI. Working on a freelance basis means they are self-employed and take on projects from various clients, rather than being employed by a single studio. Their work is essential for creating scenes that would be too expensive or impossible to film in real life.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance digital matte painter?

To thrive as a Freelance Digital Matte Painter, you need strong artistic ability, a deep understanding of perspective and lighting, and a solid portfolio demonstrating your work. Mastery of digital painting tools like Adobe Photoshop, and familiarity with 3D software such as Maya or Blender, are often required, along with knowledge of industry-standard workflows. Strong communication, time management, and the ability to adapt to client feedback help set you apart in a competitive freelance environment. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing visually compelling environments that meet client specifications and project deadlines.

What is the difference between Freelance Digital Matte Painter vs Freelance Concept Artist?

AspectFreelance Digital Matte PainterFreelance Concept Artist
Primary FocusCreating realistic backgrounds and environments for films, games, and commercialsDesigning visual ideas and concepts for characters, scenes, and products
Skills & ToolsPhoto manipulation, 3D integration, Photoshop, compositingSketching, digital painting, Photoshop, creative ideation
Work EnvironmentFilm studios, VFX companies, freelance projectsGame studios, advertising agencies, freelance projects
Industry UsageCommonly hired for visual effects and environment creationHired for concept development and pre-visualization

While both roles involve digital art and creative visualization, Freelance Digital Matte Painters specialize in creating realistic backgrounds for visual media, whereas Freelance Concept Artists focus on designing initial ideas and concepts for characters and scenes. Understanding these differences helps clients find the right professional for their project needs.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance digital matte painters when working with remote teams on film or gaming projects?

Freelance digital matte painters often collaborate with remote art directors, visual effects supervisors, and other artists across different time zones, which can make communication and feedback cycles more complex. Meeting tight deadlines while ensuring the artwork aligns with the project's creative vision can be challenging, especially without in-person interactions. Additionally, freelancers are responsible for managing their own schedules, delivering high-quality files in the required formats, and staying updated with evolving digital tools and techniques to remain competitive in the industry.
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Infographic showing various Freelance Digital Matte Painter job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 72% In-person, 14% Hybrid, and 14% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,853 per year, or $20.6 per hour.

Creative Director: Experiential (On-Site, NYC)

MATTE PROJECTS

New York, NY โ€ข On-site

$190K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago


Job description

Who are we?

MATTE is a 360 full-service creative studio at the convergence of hype, storytelling and design. We bring people together to inspire new ways of engaging, to provoke long term progress, and to entertain audiences around the world, while helping forward-thinking brands and institutions nimbly and truly do the same. Our studio capabilities range from strategic ideation and insights, creative development, branding and identity, experiential, web design and development, campaigns and content creation, all the way through full-scale production and execution.

About this role:

As the Experiential Creative Director at MATTE, you'll be the strategic and conceptual lead for all experiential elements within our creative department. You'll collaborate closely with the Executive Creative Director and the creative team, serving as a conduit for innovative ideas and exceptional creative work. Your role is to inspire and lead the creative department, identifying top talent and fostering an environment that cultivates brilliance. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Creative Ownership Over Clients, New Business, and Projects:

  • Manage client projects at a high level, overseeing multiple projects from inception to completion, reviewing project plans, and ensuring deliverables meet high standards.
  • Provide oversight on all experiential elements and outputs from the Experiential design team.
  • Lead the creative strategy from ideation to deployment for various projects encompassing branding, experiences, and campaigns.
  • Assist in framing creative pitch strategies and lead the development of presentation materials to support communication initiatives.
  • Lead, pitch and win new business opportunities.
  • Drive the expansion of MATTE's client portfolio, particularly within fashion, lifestyle, and related sectors.

Management and Leadership of Creative Team:

  • Collaborate with the ECD to establish and implement organizational processes for the creative team.
  • Guide the creative team in direction, style, and processes across departments.
  • Partner with management to recruit, retain, and nurture creative talent, including sourcing and interviewing designers, art directors, illustrators, and freelance collaborators.
  • Cultivate a cohesive and diverse creative department through leadership and mentorship.
  • Engage in weekly meetings with leadership to make decisions impacting the creative team.

Development of MATTE's Creative Vision:

  • Expand and elevate MATTE's existing brand creative.
  • Contribute to defining the overarching design direction for MATTE's media platform across print and digital realms.
  • Refine MATTE's tone of voice, creative vision, and brand messaging in alignment with the company's objectives.

Qualifications and Requirements:

  • 10+ years of experience in a senior creative role, preferably within experiential marketing or related fields.
  • Demonstrated leadership in managing and inspiring creative teams.
  • Proven track record of delivering exceptional experiential campaigns and projects.
  • Strong communication, presentation, and collaboration skills.
  • Strategic thinking and the ability to translate ideas into actionable plans.
  • Bachelor's degree in Design, Marketing, or a related field (advanced degrees or certifications are advantageous).

Compensation: $190,000-$200,000/year based on relevant experience

Benefits include:

  • Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage
  • 401k with a 4% company contribution max matchย 
  • Fully covered Citibike membershipย 
  • Talkspace membershipย 
  • Competitive PTO package
  • End of Year Rechargeย 
  • Sabbatical Programย 
  • Paid Parental Leave

Everyone is welcome at MATTE - we're passionate about building a team that reflects the diversity of our community and creating an environment where our differences are celebrated. MATTE provides equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, MATTE will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.